Vol 13 No. 09 - June 1936

Indian Raid In Bandera County

By James B. Gibson, El Paso, Texas.

Account of event that occurred in February, 1873 when the author was a boy just past sixteen years of age, living with his mother and sisters in the town of Bandera, fifty miles northwest of San Antonio, Texas, on the Medina river, and the writer was employed by the firm of Schmidtke & Hay, merchants. According to the author, those green hills and valleys, now so beautiful and peaceful to look upon, "seemed always alive with skulking, prowling, hostile Comanche Indians."

Ten miles west of Bandera, on the north bank of the Medina river, lay the beautiful Mono valley, where lived a number of substantial citizens, including the Oborskis, Bauerleins, Joe Sutherland, John Preston, old Uncle Meacham (Dad) Curtis, and several others. The now flourishing little village of Medina City had not yet been thought of.

Just north of the east end of the valley, in a low range of hills lived Travis Moore, otherwise known as "Tap" Moore, and with him lived his mother. Not far away from the Moore cabin, perhaps a half mile distant, lived John Walker, Mrs. Moore's son-in-law. A dim trail led from the Walker cabin to the Moore cabin. About half way between the two cabins ran a narrow skirt of rather dense scrubby timber and underbrush. The trail running from one place to the other ran directly through and across this skirt of timber.

Early one morning "Tap" Moore who was an unmarried man, mounted his horse and rode away to be gone from home all day, leaving the old mother at home. After he had been gone for some time, his mother decided she would walk over to the cabin of Mr. Walker and spend the day with her daughter. She went on foot, taking her knitting with her. She took the trail leading from her place to Walker's and followed it to the point where it reached and crossed the aforementioned timber, and she had passed through this skirt of brush when she was suddenly attacked by a band of ten or twelve Indians…

A Story Of Old Fort Parker

By R. F. Mattinson.

THE FOLLOWING biographical sketch was furnished the Groesbeck Argus in 1875 by Mr. Abram Anglin, who was born in Kentucky, December 28, 1817. His father moved to Illinois when he was one year old, and came to Texas in 1833. They settled on the frontier, now Limestone county, many miles from any white habitation. The little colony with which they came consisted of about eight families. In 1835, he enlisted in the service as a Texas Ranger. As the Indians and Mexicans were, at this time, becoming troublesome, they built Fort Parker, near the present site of Groesbeck. These families were the advance guard of civilization. Fort Houston, in Anderson county, was the nearest protection, except their own trusty rifles. This is his eye-witness account of the Fort and it’s surroundings at that early period including the desperate Indian raid of 1836.

Further Mentions: Seth Bates his son, Silas, David Faulkenbury and his son Evans * Plummer Faulkenbury * a Mr. Nixon, Mrs. Silas Parker * old man Lunn * the Navasota bottom * Granny Parker * Jas. W. Parker * David and Evans Faulkenbury, Douthet, Hunter, and Anderson * Wheelock * Elder John Parker, Benjamin and Silas Parker, Samuel and Robert Frost, and J. E. Dwight * James Pratt * Mrs. Kellogg *

Trailing John Chisum To New Mexico

By T. U. Taylor, Austin, Texas. (Includes a number of great old photos pertaining to the account)

Account detailing the treks of John Simpson Chisum from his ranch near old Bolivar in the northwest corner of Denton county to his first ranch on the Rio Pecos at Bosque Grande and to old Lincoln on the Bonito. For ten years he was cattle king of the counties of Denton, Cook, Wise, Tarrant, and other adjacent counties. The biggest town near him was Bolivar, and the result was that John Chisum had to conduct a principality at his own home. Everywhere you find a track of John Chisum, one thing is clear: his strong human sympathy, and his love of his fellow man. This is his story.

Further Mentions: Bolivar acres * David Waide * his ranch near Bolivar to the Concho two miles above its confluence with toe Colorado * John Chisum settled on the Concho in in 1864 * Trickham in the eastern part of Coleman county * the Rio Pecos at Bosque Grande * Ben Ficklin (four miles south of the present San Angelo) * Paint Rock * Castle Gap * old Horsehead Crossing * Judge 0. W. William * George B. Finlay * John M. Billings * Crane * Black Cross is Where Ollinger Fell * the H. & G. N. Railway Company * Charles Goodnight * Lake McMillan * South Springs Ranch * John Chisum at one time ruled from the Texas line on the east to the foot hills of the mountains some forty miles west of Roswell, and from the Texas line on the south to near Fort Sumner * Seven Rivers country * Ash Upton * Lawyer McSween * Bob Ollinger * Sheriff Pat Garrett * Bowie Mine * San Saba Mission *

A Journey Through Texas In 1856

By Frederick Law Olmsted (Continued from Last Month) More about New Braunfels and the German settlements in that area.

(Continued Next Month)

Recollection Of An Indian Raid

By Mrs. Ida Schweppe.

Mrs. Schweppe tells of a desperate Indian raid that occurred around 1870 near her father’s ranch some 25 miles W of San Antonio.

Further Mentions: our home was on King William Street, San Antonio * Leon Springs, where Mr. Aue had a general merchandise store * our farm, which my mother named "Wassenberg," after a country estate of her family in Germany, * Simon's place * brothers, Hermann and George, * Captain Smith, who lived three or four miles distant * Captain Tining * the Gallagher ranch * Captain Charles Schriener of Kerrville *

When Texas Won Her Independence

One hundred years ago the eyes of the world were turned toward Texas, then struggling to throw off the yoke of Mexican oppression. This was accomplished when the short but decisive battle of San Jacinto was fought on April 21, 1836. In those days news traveled slowly, for we did not have the telegraph, telephone, radio or airmail to carry messages to the waiting world, and it was sometimes weeks before a bit of news could filter through the usual channels. The following items appeared in the New York Sun of Wednesday morning, May 18, 1836:

Triumphant news from Texas!-Santa Anna Captured!-In the New Orleans True American, and the N. O. Bulletin of May 3rd, we have received the highly important, and apparently well authenticated intelligence of the entire defeat of Santa Anna on the 21st of April, by the forces under Gen. Houston and of the capture of himself and principal officers. It was received at New Orleans on the evening of the 2nd instant by the steamboat Levant from Nacogdoches. We see no reason to doubt the reality of these iniportant events, and cannot but admit that they will in all probability decide the independence of Texas, and have great effect upon the whole Mexican Republic. It is scarcely probable that greater mercy will be shewn to Santa Anna by the Texians than he has shewg to them, and perhaps, long ere this, he has been sacrificed to their retributive vengeance. Whatever we may think of the Texian cause as a question of right, its present success, and, as we are now inclined to think, its ultimate triumph, will entitle it to that consideration and respect which every successful revolution invariably secures. Etc. etc.

"Wildcat" Morrell, Canebrake Preacher

By Ed Kilman.

Most preachers of our day are sentimental little wimps who preach a wimpy little "gospel" that couldn’t save a flea. Not so with ‘ol "Wildcat Morrell," the famous "cane-brake" preacher from Tennessee, who planted the first seeds of Baptist doctrine in Central Texas by preaching the first religious sermon to be heard in this part of the country in the 1830’s. Z. N. Morrell heard that soul stirring appeal that was hurled from the various pulpits of the States and decided to hit the trail for Texas. "Who Among You Will Go To Texas?" The province of Texas was considered a real mission field, and it was. The map was put before Morrell and his companions and the "Falls of the Brazos" was pointed out as a good location for a colony to be established, so they mounted their horses and rode away. Colonists were so anxious to hear a sermon in this new country where there were few settlers and no churches at all that the denomination made no difference, and all expounders of the gospel were treated with the greatest of respect. And why not? These pioneer preachers could fix a broken wagon wheel, shoot Indians, plow a field and talk politics as well as uplift morals. It was generally understood that a Texas minister had real zeal, faith and courage or he would not be in this wild part of the country where it took a fighter to live. The fiery zeal that moved him to undertake almost anything and the courage that never failed him at any time made him a dreaded antagonist, and he was known among his enemies as "Wildcat" Morrell. This is a great story about a truly great man. It details certain Indian raids battles that he was involved in.

Further Mentions: Congressman David Crockett of Tennessee * Colonel Matthew Caldwell * the San Patricio region * fierce Karankawa Indians * Plum Creek Baptist church * Fayette county on the lower Colorado river * General Edward Burleson, Jack Hays, Ben and Henry McCulloch, Colonel Matthew Caldwell * La Grange * the Council House fight at San Antonio * Victoria * Linnville * Good's Crossing on Plum Creek, 27 miles below Austin * the present town of Lockhart at the fork of Plum Creek * General Felix Huston * Mrs. Watts of Linnville who had been captured by the Indians * He took part in the founding of Baylor university, which was originally established at Independence in Washington county in 1845 * Z. N. Morrell was buried at Kyle Texas, in February, 1884 * Samuel D. Houston *

Early Days In Hamilton County

By Tom Stinnett, Menard, Texas.

[SELLERS NOTE: THIS IS EXCELLENT AND VERY RARE HAMILTON COUNTY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY!]

This is an exceelent historical account of the family of Captain Rufus Stinnett, who moved to Hamilton county in 1870, from Milam county and settled in the region.

Further Mentions: Clifton * Old Hico in Hamilton county * Honey Creek * Bosque creek * There were two small stores at Old Hico when we arrived there * Uncle Ike Malone and Faggard & Day * Rocky" Martin kept a hotel * A man named Clemens owned a saloon * The names of a few of the early settlers there were the Faggards, John Barbee, Mrs. Taylor, Uncle Sol Boykin, the Medfords, Andersons, Malones, Bill Oats, the Deatons, Fulchers, Fullers, Fergesons, Martins, Days, Montgomerys, Reeds, John Alford * the Haile and Morrison families * Iredell * . W. H. Fuller was the first deputy sheriff appointed at Old Hico * teachers were Miss Mollie Torie, Mr. Avery, and Mr. Thomas * the Texas Central railroad built a line through Hamilton county * Honey Creek * Miss Alice Hail, daughter of William Hail, a pioneer settler *

Frio County Has A Colorful History

By Mrs. W. A. Roberts (includes photo of Mrs. Roberts)

[SELLER'S NOTE: ESSENTIAL, VERY DETAILED AND RARE EARLY HISTORY AND GENEALOGY OF FRIO COUNTY]

Account of early days of Frio County by Mrs. W. A. Roberts, who was postmaster at Frio Town for forty years. Account also includes sketch of Mrs. Roberts, written by Edward Blackaller, which appeared in an old issue of the Pearsall Leader.

Further Mentions: La Parita Creek near Pleasanton * La Salle county * Frio Academy which occupied the upper rooms of the court house * Mr. and Mrs. Hendricks * the Methodist College at Waco * W. A. Roberts and his grandfather, W. J. Slaughter * Pearsall at the Berry house * Yancey Kilgore * O. Henry, the short story writer * Charles L. Fagan * A. Lobos * The county comprising some 1036 square miles, and embracing various fertile soils, was then under the jurisdiction of Bexar county. Also at one time it was attached to Medina and later to Atascosa counties. The name was derived from the Frio (cold) river, which winds its way through the rich land. * B. A. Sheidley, H. M. Daugherty and John B. McMahon appoint justices of the peace, and an election was called for July 17-20. W. C. Daughtrty was then elected district, clerk and E., C. Woodridge, sheriff * Aug. 8, 1871, A. L. Oden was appointed to lay off the town of Trio, in Frio county. * the Frio river, just below the Presidio Crossing * The Yo lo, Digo Creeks tributaries of the Leona river * Elm Creek * Elm Valley * Berry Creek * another tributary of the Leona, was named for Tillman Berry, father of J. E. (Jim) Berry. "Los Burros" or Jack Creek received its name from a band of wild "burros" that ranged along the creek * L. J. W. Edwards, the first merchant was also the first postmaster * L. S. White, T. H. Rogers, J. I. Barnes, W. Y. Kilgore * Mrs. Artie C. Roberts * W. C. Randle * Benton City * Lee McCaughan * W. C. Daugherty * John Leakey * Mr. Leakey owned a sawmill where the town of Leakey now stands * E. J. Emsley * The first jail of stone was built by Dempsey Forrest in 1872 * Many notorious characters of early days were locked within its walls, among theca. Sam Bass, Jesse and Frank James * The first grave in the Frio City cemetery was that of Calvin Massey, killed by Indians * Wesley Hiler, age seventeen, son of W. S. Hiler, killed by a horse * In the spring of 1873, Mrs. Ed Massey saw the Indians kill her father-inlaw, Calvin Massey * In the fall of 1876, an Indian raid, carrying devastation and great loss of life, occurred. At break of day, Billie Allen and Jim Berry were …* Live Oak motte * William Rittberg * the Leona valley * Mr. Butler and Nick Brian * Mont Woodward, W. J. and C. H. Slaughter * Major John B. Jones * Company "A" * Neal Coldwell * the historical "Ranger Camp" whose site was on the south bank, of Elm Creek * Capt. J. B. Gillett * a beautiful level prairie known as "Soldier's Prairie," * the Caven Woodward and Louis Oge ranch * Sheriff J. C. B. Harkness * the Reverend William Monk, John W. DeVilbiss, W. C. Newton and the wellknown fighting preacher, A. J. Potter * D. Johnson, J. M. Neatherlin and J. C. Russell * the Rio Grande Baptist Association * E. A. Briggs of Benton City * C. B. Hukill of Black Creek * Dr. E. W. Earnest, Dr. Amos Graves and the much-loved little woman, Mrs. Minerva Slaughter, wife of Benjamin Slaughter * Very early the following school directors were appointed for the different school districts:. S. G. Speed, J. G. Woodward, W. S. Hiler, R. B. Whitter, Alvin Hol., vey, J. W. Craig, Geo. Brown, P. E. Wilson, R S. Ragsdale, John Walden, Joe Adams, J. W. Jones, J. E. Roberts, Silas Hay and Andrew Everett * The first school was taught by J. M. Ellege * Other early teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Kingsbury, Miss Mary McGee, Dan T. Price and Mrs. A. E. Coates * Frio Academy was founded with B. C. Hendrick as principal and Mrs. Hendrick, assistant * Tillman Berry came to Frio county in 1858. Dick Thompson, B. L. Crouch, Louis Oge, Mont and Cavca Woodward, H. M. Daugherty, W. S. Hiler * cattlemen Captain B. L. Crouch, Caven Woodward, Louis Oge, J. H. Blackaller, W. J. and C. H. Slaughter and others * J. J. Roberts, M. Taylor, J. H. Loxton, J. H. Cook, B. I. Gilman, J. J. Little, Billie Henson, W. A. Roberts * Various simbols, letters, figures and combinations of these made' the brands of the cattlemen. The "Heart" brand of Tillman Berry, "T Diamond' of W. J. Slaughter, ZH of W. S. Hiler, CL of Caven Woodward were among the first placed on record and are still used by the descendants of these early citizens. Other ranch brands were UL bar, and UL of J. H. Blackalle-, and 2A of J. E. Roberts. Trail or road brands were placed on all cattle sent up the "trail"-that of W. J. Slaughter "Diamond" and 7P, and of B. L. Crouch a bar from shoulder to flank on both sides of the animal, of Caven Woodward Y at the point of the shoulder and Lazy Y on the loin, and .To of J. H. Blackaller. * Leonard Eastwood, John Speers, and R. A. Sanders * "Mustang" Moore and James Winters * the present town of Moore * Dr. Thomas Speed and L. T. Ward * James Craig, James Bishop and Norville Kennard * Ed Burleson * Levi English, A. TA. Franks, G. W. Daugherty, A. D. Aiken, Ed Burleson, W. C. Bell, Dean Oden, Bud English, John Berry, Frank and Dan Williams * Dean Oden, Dan Williams and Bud English * the old Martin ranch * the Bennett settlement on the Leona, named for Hamilton Bennett * In 1878 a post office was established by name of Hamlin * town of Pearsall * it was also known as Pencilville * the name of Ireland * Another important neighborhood, near tha line of Frio and Medina counties, was the Tehuacana settlement, located along the Tehuacana Creek * The Live Oak settlement on the Live Oak Creeks * the vast ranch of Captain B. L. Crouch, now owned by Halff and Oppenheimer * Benjamin Slaughter, William A. A. Wallace, James W. Winters and James Winters * Captain Hill's company, Colonel Hays' Regiment, Texas Mounted Volunteers. James W. Winters, a valiant San Jacinto veteran * the Brummett Cemetery near Big Foot, Texas * William A. A. (Big Foot) Wallace figured largely in Frio county history * Longview Cemetery at Big Foot. * The present residents are mostly descendants of the early citizens; namely, John Brummett, John Thomas, Peter Gardner, Bob Dixon, J. A. Leach, George Henson and others * Brummett cemetery * the International and Great Northern Railroad (now the Missouri Pacific) * R. G. Long * a large sheep ranch known as Waggoner's Well * Dilley, Derby, Melon and Moore are towns along the railroad * John Bennett moved where the town of Derby now stands * Miguel, Sand Hollow, Keystone, Orelia, Divot and Schattel are important farming and stock-raising communities

The Last Indian Raid In Erath County

By W. H. Davis, Childress, Texas.

Account of final Indian raid in Erath county (known for having so many of the bloodiest raids), which occurred near the southeast corner of Erath county. At the beginning of the fight, there were very few white men taking part, but as runners were sent to the different settlements, the number of the whites were increased almost hourly. To evade their pursuers, the Indians traveled along the east line of the county northward. The white men stayed so close to them and kept coming from every direction, so that the Indians were compelled to change their course and were trying to get out of Erath county. A few miles south of the northeast corner of Erath county, they were surrounded by the settlers, and were forced to take shelter in the bed of Star Hollow Creek. This hollow is at, or very near, the east line of Erath county on the Morgan Mill and Granbury road. The Indians took refuge under a high bluff which gave them an advantage over the whites, as there was only one approach and that was to walk out directly in front and in open view of the Indians. The settlers charged, but retreated with three seriously wounded. The day was exceedingly hot, and a thunder storm gathered, which broke in a regular cloud burst. The number of settlers had increased to about one hundred or more by the time the dashing downpour of rain came. In a short time...

Further Mentions: William H. Davis * the little city of Bluffdale * the North Paluxy river * a surveyor named Duvall * the Davis settlement * Newman O. Davis *

A CIVIL WAR LETTER.

Mrs. S. A. Roach of Oakville, Texas, offers old time poems published many years ago, and also a letter dated April 10, 1862, written by her father Ben J. Estes, to his sister, Sarah Elizabeth Estes Hart. Mr. Estes was born April 30, 1841, either in Red River or Kaufman county, Texas, and died June 17, 1927, and was buried at Dodsonville, Texas. He entered the Confederate army and went through the war, being wounded several times.

Fort Clark, Texas, April 10, 1862.

Dear Brother and Sister: I received your kind favor of March the 7th and have been unable to answer it until now as I was just starting on a scout when I received it and have just returned. I was glad to hear from you and that you was well but happy to know that the bad reports that you had heard from the wars were false. It is true that Southern arms have underwent some reverses but not so bad as you had heard. General Sihbley has achieved a great victory in New Mexico. There is a man here trying to raise a company that was in the fight. Colonel Baylor passed here last week …

Partial list of names mentioned in this volume:

Joe Adams; A. D. Aiker; John Alford; Billie Allen; Anglin; Baker; J. I. Barnes; Dr Florence E. Barns; Barry; Bass; Seth Bates; Silas Bates; Silas R. Bates; Baylor; W. C. Bell; Hamilton Bennett; John Bennett; J. E. (Jim) Berry; John Berry; Tillman Berry; John M. Billings; James Bishop; Edward Blackaller; J. H. Blackaller; Robert Blum; Sol Boykin; Nick Brian; E. A. Briggs; Geo Brown; John Brummett; Ed Burleson; Jerry Bywaters; Caldwell; Matthew Col; Gen Callejas; Count Castel; Castle; Chisum; John Simpson ; Charlotte Churchill; Mrs A. E. Coates; Coke; Neal Coldwell; Conwill; J. H. Cook; Cos; J. W. Craig; James Craig; Crockett; B. L. Crouch; Capt B. L. ; Meacham Curtis; G. W. Daugherty; H. M. Daugherty; W. C. Daugherty; Newman O. Davis; W. H. Davis; William H. Davis; Rev John W. DeVilbiss; Bob Dixon; J. R. Dunn; Duval; J. E. Dwight; Dr E. W. Earnest; Leonard Eastwood; Eckhart ; L. J. W. Edwards; Ehrenberg; Elam; J. M. Ellege; E. J. Emsley; Bud English; Levi English; Ben H. Estes; Ben J. Estes; Andrew Everett; Charles L. Fagan; David Faulkenbury; Evans Faulkenbury; Field; George Fields; George B. Finlay; Fletcher; Foote; Dempsey Forrest; A. L. Franks; Julius Froebel ; Frost; Samuel Robert; W. H. Fuller; Fulmore; Gammel; Peter Gardner; Garrett; James B. Gibson; Gillett; B. I. Gilman; Goodnight; Dr Amos Graves; Green; Greer; Alice Miss Hail; William Hail; Col Hamner; J. C. B. Harkness; Sarah Elizabeth Estes Hart; ; Silas Hay; Hays; ; Coll; ; Alvin Helvey; B. C. Hendrick; Henry; Billie Henson; George Henson; Miguel Hidalgo; W. S. Hiler; Wesley Hiler; Capt Hill; Holley; Boyce House; A. Houston; ; Rev C. B. Hukill; Gen Huston; James Huston; Rev D. Johnson; J. W. Jones; Frederick Kapp; Kendall; Norville Kennard; W. Y. Kilgore; Ed Kilman; Kilman; Lamar; Langford; J. A. Leach; John Leakey; Linn; J. J. Little; A. Lobos; R. G. Long; Lorentz; Loving; J. H. Loxton; Ike Malone; "Rocky" Martin; Calvin Massey; Mrs Ed Massey; B. F. Mattinson; R. F. Mattinson; Lee McCaughan; McCulloch; ; Mary Miss McGee; Dr McGlein; John B. McMahon; C. Von Meusebach; Milam; Rev William Monk; Mustang Moore; Tap Moore; Travis Moore; Moos; Morgan; Allen Morrell; Rev Morrell; Wildcat Morrell; Duke of Nassau; Rev J. M. Neatherlin; Neil; Newell; Rev W. C. Newton; Bill Oats; A. L. Oden; Dean Oden; Oge; Bob Ollinger; Olmsted; Benjamin Parker; Granny Parker; Jas W. Parker; John Elder; Mrs Silas ; Col N. C. Patterson; Plummer; Poe; Rev A. J. Potter; James Pratt; John Preston; Dan T. Price; R. S. Ragsdale; Ant. Rainosek Sr ; W. C. Randle; Reid; William Rittberg; Marianna Roach; Mrs S. A. Roach; Mrs Artie C. Roberts; J. E. Roberts; J. J. Roberts; W. A. Roberts; Mrs W. A. Roberts; T. H. Rogers; Rose; Thos J. Rush; Rev J. C. Russell; R. A. Sanders; Antonio Lopez deSanta Ana; Capt Charles Schriener; Mrs Ida Schweppe; Schweppe; Shackelford; B. A. Sheidley; Gen Sibley; Benjamin Slaughter; C. H. Slaughter; Mrs Minerva Slaughter; W. J. Slaughter; Clinton Smith; Smithwick; Solms; S. G. Speed; Dr Thomas Speed; John Speers; Stapp; Capt Rufus Stinnett; Tom Stinnett; Stinnett; Joe Sutherland; M. Taylor; Thalmann; John Thomas; Dick Thompson; Thumim; Capt Tining; Miss Mollie Torrie; Ash Upton; Gen Uvalde; Gen Vandorn; Wade; David Waide; Count Waldeck; John Walden; John Walker; Wallace; L. T. Ward; L. S. White; R. B. Whitter; Wiemers; Wilbarger; Dan Williams; Frank Williams; O. W. Judge; P. E. Wilson; James Winters; James W. Winters; Woll; E. C. Woodridge; Caven Woodward; J. G. Woodward; Yoakum; S. P. Ziegler; Ziegle Ziegfeld